Immature Bald Eagle

For a change of pace here is a photo I recently received from friends of ours. It is a photo of an immature Bald Eagle on the ocean shoreline on the east side of Vancouver Island. I presume it was taken with a telephoto lens. The younger birds don't have the characteristic white head until they are a few years old. The younger ones are also significantly larger than the older ones. This one already has "the stern look", the large curved beak and the large yellow feet.

Eagles In Love

Two Bald Eagles sitting side by side is not something I have seen before. Normally, if they are that close together, it is a fight in mid-air.

There is a story behind this photo. This eagle tree is on a path that I ride every few days. For a few weeks I noticed there was one eagle in the vicinity. I recall seeing it perched on a rock near the water's edge, alone and looking out to sea. At other times in was in the tree. I suspected it was waiting for its companion to arrive since it was near the start of the mating season. I also know that they go their separate ways only days after the young are out of the nest.

Each time I went by I was waiting for the second one to arrive. This photo was taken on a very windy day the first time I saw them together. Click on the photo to see them in more detail.

Bald Eagle

FT over at Million Dollar Journey suggested adding some pictures. Here's a pic of a Bald Eagle by the side of the road in January. Its not often you get this close.

The wildlife on Van Isl is a real treasure, especially in the winter months.